Washington - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today cosponsored legislation that will raise the average fuel economy standards for all vehicles, including SUVs and sedans, from 25 miles per gallon to 35 mpg by model year 2017. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sponsored the legislation which, if passed, would save 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2025, the same amount of oil America currently imports from the Persian Gulf.

At a time when America is increasingly dependent upon foreign oil and our economy is increasingly strained by fossil fuel usage, it is time to increase fuel economy standards, Menendez said. This needed legislation would not only reduce our national fuel consumption, but would also make our environment cleaner, and make life more affordable for American families.

Gas prices are out of control and Americans need relief, said Lautenberg. The best solution is to use less oil, and American industry has the know-how to do it. Now Congress needs to show the political will.

The bipartisan legislation would require vehicle fuel economy labels to reflect actual driving conditions by updating the test that sets the estimated fuel economy for city and highway driving. It additionally would establish mandatory on-board fuel economy displays that show real-time fuel consumption to encourage more fuel efficient driving.

The legislation will also create a program to identify vehicles that meet or surpass mandatory fuel economy standards the green label and the gold star label. The green label would be for vehicles that meet or exceed the applicable fuel economy standard or have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. Gold star vehicles would achieve a fuel economy at least 50 mpg, and for light trucks with 37 mpg or higher.

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